Clinic so user friendly

Three weeks ago, I had a case of Chubbie Wubbies, as one of our sons used to describe his situation when he wasn’t feeling well. In my case of CW, goose bumps and chills went up my back, shoulders and into where my baldness hasn’t reached the lower back of my head and neck. These little 30-second episodes were distracting enough that after the third or so recurrence, I described them to my Nurse/wife. Hmm. She wanted me to go to the doctor, but I felt my symptoms were beyond diagnosis. Somehow, another one of our sons, who is a deputy sheriff and EMT instructor in Cody, got involved. Rather than having him drive up and forcibly escort me to the emergency facility at Beartooth Billings Clinic, I decided to pick up the phone and call. At the appointed time a couple of hours later, the lady at the reception area had me checked in and waiting for the beeper-shaker device to prompt me that something was going to happen. Nurse Very Nice had me weigh in, etc., during which time I discovered I was only a bit over six feet tall, which made me about three inches shorter than I had thought just moments before. I silently concluded that my shrinkage was causing the Chubbie Wubbies. Nope. Physician Assistant Douglas Whitehead knocked gently on the door of the exam room and things really got going after a handshake, a bit of get-acquainted small talk and my explanation of symptoms. The sequence escapes me, but it included blood and urine samples, chest x-rays and a check-up on my previous bout with cancer 15 years ago. All of the foregoing seemed to take place in a flash, with clear explanations and purpose all the way. At PA Whitehead’s suggestion, we waited around for results to converge and a diagnosis. Kapow! I had pneumonia. No more CW subsequent to the first pill that was prescribed. I honestly still don’t know the difference between a physician assistant and a nurse practitioner, but wanted to tell someone, anyone, why not everyone, how well the Beartooth Billings Clinic treats its patients from the moment they arrive and throughout. Last, but not least, grateful compliments go to Physician Assistant Douglas Whitehead for his professionalism and medical diagnostic skills. Sincerely, Keith McClain Red Lodge